"The first time I thought it was more serious was when I had the infection, but that's the risk you take with the operations," he added.

"I was really pleased with how the rehab had gone. But like with many guys who retire with knee injuries they feel they get close, but with professional rugby as it is nowadays, it made me think it couldn't cope.

"The gutting thing is how hard I've worked. That's the hard part to take."

Morgan signed his first professional contract with Gloucester in 2004 and three years later earned his two international caps against Scotland and Ireland in the Six Nations, only to suffer a shoulder injury during the latter appearance.